Rashmika Mandanna's steep pay cut after Pushpa 2 raises eyebrows. What is going on behind the scenes?

Economic Times

4 hours ago

Agencies Despite delivering back-to-back box office hits like Pushpa 2, Animal, and Kuberaa, Rashmika Mandanna's remuneration reportedly has seen a surprising drop—from ₹10 crore in Pushpa 2 to ₹4 crore in her latest films.
She's been the darling of the box office, the face behind some of India's biggest pan-Indian hits, and hailed as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation. Yet, Rashmika Mandanna, who reportedly charged a jaw-dropping ₹10 crore for Pushpa 2 , seems to be witnessing a sharp and curious decline in her remuneration. The revelation, first reported by Pinkvilla, has left fans and industry watchers equally puzzled.
Rashmika's rise has been meteoric—from the phenomenal success of Pushpa: The Rise to Animal , and most recently, Kuberaa . However, despite the star power and consistent box office triumphs, her paycheck hasn't followed the expected upward trajectory. According to a report in Siasat , Rashmika was paid ₹4 crore for her role in Chhaava opposite Vicky Kaushal—a steep drop from her Pushpa 2 fee. She earned ₹5 crore for the upcoming Salman Khan-starrer Sikander , and ₹4 crore again for Kuberaa , according to Filmibeat .
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In Kuberaa , which hit theatres on June 20, Rashmika plays Sameera alongside acting stalwarts Dhanush and Nagarjuna Akkineni. While the social thriller opened to positive reviews and promising numbers at the box office, the actress' compensation reportedly didn't reflect her previous record-breaking deal. This widening gap between her impact on screen and remuneration has sparked intense speculation online.
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Interestingly, Rashmika had earlier addressed similar rumours with a witty retort. After Animal 's success, some reports suggested she had hiked her fee to ₹4-4.5 crore. Taking to social media, she playfully responded: 'Says who I wonder.. after seeing all of this I think I should actually consider it.. and if my producers ask why.. then I'll just say 'media out there is saying this sir ..and I think I should live up to their words.. what do I do?'' The response, while humorous, hints at the complex realities behind celebrity contracts, market forces, and perceived value in a star-studded yet unpredictable industry.
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Despite the fee fluctuation, Rashmika shows no signs of slowing down. She's already gearing up for upcoming projects like Thaama with Ayushmann Khurrana, The Girlfriend , and Cocktail 2 . Buzz also suggests a reunion with her rumoured partner Vijay Deverakonda in Rahul Sankrityan's next.
While the exact reason behind the drop in her fees remains under wraps, theories range from project-specific budgets to a shift in the industry's pay scale post-pandemic. Some fans speculate it may even be a conscious decision by the actress to take on more challenging, content-driven roles rather than chase commercial payouts. Whatever the case may be, Rashmika Mandanna remains one of the most bankable and talked-about stars of her time—proving that influence sometimes outweighs the invoice.